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Difficulty: EasyPhilosophical Foundations of the American Revolution

Read the following excerpt from John Dickinson's *Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania* (1767–1768).

"Let these truths be indelibly impressed on our minds—that we cannot be happy, without being free—that we cannot be free, without being secure in our property—that we cannot be secure in our property, if, without our consent, others may, as by right, take it away; that taxes imposed on us by parliament, do thus take it away."

Which of the following Enlightenment concepts most directly influenced the argument in the excerpt?

  1. A
    The economic theory of mercantilism, which held that colonial trade should be strictly regulated to maximize the mother country's wealth
  2. B
    The constitutional principle of federalism, which establishes a system of shared power between national and state governments
  3. The Lockean concept of natural rights, which asserts that government cannot legitimately take an individual's property without their consentAnswer
  4. D
    The colonial belief that external taxes on trade were acceptable, whereas internal taxes like the Stamp Act were unconstitutional

Answer

The Lockean concept of natural rights, which asserts that government cannot legitimately take an individual's property without their consent
The correct answer identifies the Lockean concept of natural rights. John Locke argued that all individuals possess natural rights, including life, liberty, and property. According to social contract theory, governments are established to protect these rights, and taxing citizens without their consent violates the fundamental right to property. Dickinson directly applies this philosophy by arguing that parliamentary taxation without colonial representation threatens the security of their property and, consequently, their freedom.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the primary source excerpt to identify the core argument.
The author (Dickinson) argues that happiness requires freedom, freedom requires secure property, and property is not secure if it can be taxed without consent.
To determine which Enlightenment idea is present, we must first summarize the author's logical chain connecting property, consent, and liberty.
2
Relate the identified argument to prominent Enlightenment concepts of the 18th century.
John Locke's Second Treatise of Government famously argued that individuals have natural rights to life, liberty, and property, and that governments cannot take property without consent.
Dickinson's emphasis on consent as a prerequisite for secure property directly mirrors Locke's social contract theory.
3
Evaluate the answer choices to find the one that matches this Lockean concept of natural rights and consent.
The option highlighting the Lockean concept of natural rights and consent matches the argument in the source, while other options refer to unrelated economic policies, post-revolutionary government structures, or historical tax distinctions.
This confirms the correct option as the one explaining the Lockean concept of natural rights.

Key Concept

Natural Rights and Consent in the American Revolution
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Topics

Philosophical Foundations of the American Revolution

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